EU extended sanctions against Russians

US, WASHINGTON (NEWS OBSERVATORY) — The European Union for six months extended individual sanctions against Russian citizens. The previously adopted restrictions were due to expire on March 15th.

“The Council decided that sanctions regarding actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine should be extended for another six months,” said message distributed by Brussels.

It specifies that restrictions will apply to individuals on the sanctions list, such as freezing funds and providing economic resources. Currently, sanctions apply to 175 individuals and 44 legal entities.

The decision to extend the sanctions was made on March 4 without discussion. On March 13, the EU Council approved it, and it will enter into force on March 14.

The EU began to introduce restrictions on Russian citizens in 2014 – after the accession of Crimea to the Russian Federation and the declaration of independence by the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.

The EU defined the actions of a number of Russian citizens, as well as representatives of the DPR and LPR authorities, as “undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”